Electronic system technicians help engineers develop electrical and electronic devices such as computers, navigational equipment and diagnostic monitors. They may work in offices, factories and laboratories because their jobs encompass both theory and line production. They may be exposed to hazardous materials but can minimize any danger with correct procedures.

Basics

Electronic system technicians earned a mean $27.52 per hour or $57,240 per year as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest earning 10 percent received $16.36 per hour or $34,020 per year and the highest earning 10 percent received $39.30 per hour or $81,740 per year. To earn these amounts, techs build, maintain, calibrate and repair electrical machines and testing equipment. They create specifications and diagrams, put together systems and prototypes, inspect designs for any issues, set up test equipment, analyze system performance and report on their findings.

Industries

With a combined 42 percent of the total 150,020 jobs, the five industries hiring the most electronic system techs in 2011 were architectural and engineering services; semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing; navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing; the federal government; and the U.S. Postal Service. Of these, the federal government showed the best mean salaries at $37.19 per hour or $77,350 per year. However, one industry topped those amounts: oil and gas extraction with mean wages of $37.73 per hour or $78,480 per year. Just below the federal government for pay were software publishers, averaging $36.17 per hour or $75,240 per year.

States

The states with the highest employment levels also had the most people, starting with most populous state of California. Here, 20,150 techs earned a mean $30.05 per hour or $62,500 per year in 2011. Texas followed with 16,240 positions at $27.14 per hour or $56,460 per year. Finally, New York had 8,220 workers earning a mean $27.27 per hour or $56,730 per year. The areas with the highest salaries also had high costs of living, beginning with Alaska at a mean $37.79 per hour or $78,590 per year. The District of Columbia, which the BLS classified with states, showed mean pay at $34.76 per hour or $72,300 per year. Hawaii ranked next with means at $33.38 per hour or $69,440 per year.

Outlook

The BLS predicts jobs for electronic systems techs growing at 2 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is less than the 5 percent for all engineering techs and much less than the 14 percent for all jobs in all industries. Many of these technicians work in traditional manufacturing industries, which are showing declines during the same period. However, jobs will grow in engineering services firms as many manufacturers contract out their services to cut costs. Demand also will be high in computer systems design, which is a growing field.

About the Author

Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. He published his first book in 1996 and is a frequent contributor to many online publications, specializing in consumer, business and technical topics. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington.